EXPLORE THE BLINKWATER TRAILS

The Blinkwater Trails, situated at the end of the Karkloof range, will be hosting an open day on Saturday, October 15 at Douglas Smith Cottage.

Whilst the trails have been in existence for over two decades, they have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in recent years and several other challenges, leading to an extended period of inactivity.

The Blinkwater Trails management team is inviting walkers to enjoy the refreshed trails from Douglas Smith Cottage, up onto the Blinkwater Reserve grasslands and through the indigenous bush section.

There are both 5km and 12km walking options. The 5km walk is an out and back route from the cottage, taking in stops along the way to absorb some of the delights of this area with birding, butterfly and plant experts. It is suitable for anyone with basic walking fitness and should take two to three hours.

The 12km walk is geared for the fitter walker, starting with a hefty climb up the Old Wagon Track from Douglas Smith Cottage and onto the grasslands, with spectacular three-sixty degree views across Albert Falls and the Karkloof, before taking a steep descent through the indigenous forest and back to the starting point. It is a rewarding loop with plenty to see along the way and is expected to take four to five hours to complete.

Mooi River and District SPCA held a vaccination drive in Rosetta on September 28 World Rabies Day.

The SPCA team, working with Dr Thashia Reddy, visited pets at the railway houses before moving to Ntuli Village, where pets were vaccinated and a list of pets to be sterilised was compiled.

After a busy few hours, a hub was set up in the community hall, where various pet owners brought their pets for vaccinations.

Thank you to everyone who donated towards this invaluable outreach day.

Mooi River and District SPCA will be visiting the Kamberg on Thursday, October 13. Contact the office at 033 263 1526 if you need further details. Douglas Smith Cottage is best accessed from New Hanover and is about a 20-minute drive from there on district and forestry roads.

Due to limited space and facilities, those interested in attending the open day must book their spot by emailing gohike@blinkwatertrails.co.za Should the weather be inclement, the open day will be postponed to the following Saturday, October 22.

Bring your friends, your walking shoes, sunscreen and a picnic basket (to enjoy back at the cottage after the walk) and come and discover a hidden gem nestled in the Karkloof.

Coin and stamp collectors are in for a treat at this week’s auction at Cannon and Cannon Auctioneers in Hilton.

“Over two days, we are offering 637 carefully selected lots, such as gold Heritage Collection Stamps, Kruger and Mandela gold coins, RSA and Union Long Proof Sets and important albums of early Commonwealth and World Stamps,” said Noelene Cannon.

Among the ceramic lots are Royal Albert tea and dinner services.

Mounted buffalo and kudu horns will also go under the hammer

Thirteen people were injured in separate accidents in the Midlands at the weekend. Midlands EMS were called to an accident on the R622 in Mooi River on Sunday, October 2 in which seven people were injured.

They had been travelling in a bakkie which left the road and rolled.

Four people were critically injured and needed advanced life support treatment, with the other three people sustaining moderate injuries. along with bronze models of an elephant and an eagle.

Vintage Zulu milk pails and African ceremonial masks of a similar period are also available.

Silver enthusiasts can look out for a George V period 52-piece cutlery set and a George III salver by Paul Storr; while art lovers can bid on paintings by Tinus De Jongh, Boyley, Tugwell, Makiwa, Albertyn, Klar, Taylor and more.

For more information, visit www. cannons.co.zawww.cannons.co.za, call 033 343 3366 or 071 271 1603 or email admin@cannons.co.za

On Saturday, October 1, six people were injured when the bakkie they were travelling in rolled on the Nwadi road in Boston.

Three people were seriously injured and required advanced life support treatment.

In both accidents the injured were treated on scene by paramedics before being transported to various hospitals for further care.

The causes of the two crashes are being investigated by the

SAPS.